Stout
After seemingly murdering his parents in a fit of rage, Lumko faces possible time in prison. But Uncle Odwa, his father’s brother, uses his influence and a handful of corruption to get Lumko out: hiding out in JHB, a stout school away from his old life.
Lumko resigns himself to put his head down and quietly pass the next two years at the stout school. But quiet is the last thing he will find at JHB. On the one hand, he is tortured by the fact that he killed his parents and doesn’t remember how. On the other, the prison-like social structure at JHB sees him being a target for bullying by the hardened veteran residents of the institution.
Lumko soon realises that he jumped out of the pot that is the prison system, right into the fire that is this escape for all forms of delinquents. Socialising with arsonists, thieves, and conmen, rehabilitation is the last thing he’ll find here. But it is here that he may find the truth of what happened to his parents. And more than that, this is the unlikely place in which he finds the light of brotherhood, mentorship, and love.
Stout explores themes of redemption, brotherhood/sisterhood, romance, facing demons, fighting demons, and coming out on the other side still whole. Because this is what coming-of-age feels like.